Hand brake



Aug. 26, 1930. A. F. o'coNNoR HAND BRAKE Filed June `24, 1929 Patented Aug. 26,` 1930 ARTHUR IF. OCONNOZR,

PATENT oFFlcy oF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS HAND :BRAKE Application led June 24, E

This'invention relates to hand brakes.

An object of the invention is to provide a Y brake mechanism of the pull-up type, includ ing a winding device upon the end wall of a 5 car, `and flexible means extending from thel winding device underneath the car to be connectedV with the brake shoes, in conjunction I with a mechanism at the lower corner of .the car, adapted to cooperate with the flexible l means such manner as to transmit the actuating fforce lapplied thereto `in a highly A furtherobject of the invention is to provide a brake mechanism. of the character in- 15 dicated, including a pivotally mounted device positioned substantially at the point of change in direction from horizontal tovertical of the flexible means, and wherein said device automatically adjusts itselfl to varia- 20 tions in the position of they brake chain and prevents displacement of the .device with reference to its normal efficient operating posi- Still another objectof the invention is to y 25 provide a pivotally mounted device ofthe character indicated, so constructed as to engage the flexible means only after lthe same i i have tightened somewhat, thereby permitting -initial relative movement of the loose iexi- 30 ble means with reference tothe device, and afterwards bringing about movement of the p [device in unison with the flexible means.

A still further object of the invention vis to provide a device of the character referred to, wherein means are provided to permit relativeanovement of the flexible means with reference to the device after the same has reached the limit of its Swingin movement. 4 Other and further objects of t e invention will more clearly apear from the description 1929. serial No. 373,205.

normal position in full lines, and at the limit of itsswinging movement in dotted lines.

As shown in the drawings, a fragment of the end wall of the car is indicated at 10, and secured thereto is a windin mechanism, shown conventionally, and in icated by the reference character 11, the winding mechanism being adapted to take up. and release the flexible means 12, shown in the form of a chain, the chain 12 having a horizontal portion 13 extending beneath the car and adapted to be connected with the brake shoes proper. The construction of the winding means is of a well known character and forms no part of the'present invention except in s o far as it enters into combination therewith.

y In carrying out the invention, a supporting yoke 14 is secured to the under sur-face of the lower corner 15A of the car, the legs 16-16 of the yoke carrying a pivot pin 17 extending through the apex Vportion 18 of a generally segmental member or casting 19, the apex portion of the casting being provided with l an integral sleeve 20 for the reception of the pivot .pin 17. The segmental member is preferably formed with a pair of s aced walls 21-21, connected, at one pair o s ideedgesv by means of a web 22 formed integrally with thej sleeve 20, as shown. The opposite side edges of the member or casting are connected -fby a web 23 which extends from the sleeve 20 to a point somewhat short of the extremities of the casting, said web merging with an. angularly disposed arcuate web 24, the latter' forming the bottom of a lgroove defined by arcuate shoulders25-25 formed integrall "with the side walls 21-,21 and withthe we 24, the web k24and shoulders 25` being cut out and terminating as indicated at 26. l

An lintegral abutment 27 extends across JJ the groove defined. by the shoulders 25-25 andweb 24, and at one sidey is curved, as indicated at 28, to conform to the curvature of one of the upri ht links'29 of the chain, as' best shown in hgigure 3. The opposite surface of the abutment27.. is beve ed, .aslindie catedl at 30, to facilitatemovement of4 the chain therepast whenl the chain is released. 1.

The lower extremities ofthe walls 21-21 :are connected by spaced arcuate' webs 31-31,

these webs, along with the web 24 and shoulders 25-25, defining guide means which, with the side walls of the member, `retain the chain 12 in position. Rotatably mounted upon a pin 32'supported by the side walls 21-21 of the member 1.9, and arranged at one side of the center of said member, and between said side walls, is a sheave 33, having a grooved rim defined' by a web 34 and spaced flanges indicated at 35, the diameter of the sheave beingsuch that theweb 34 extends downwardly slightly beond the web 24, as best shown in Figure 3. he groove of the sheave accommodates a 15' portion of the chain, as will be understood.

In operation, under the influence of gravity, and with the chain loose in thc guides provided by the sheave 33, the web 24 and webs ill- 31,v the segmental member normally hangs in depending position. Upon the initial take-up of the brake chain, the chain moves relatively to the segmental memberwithout any effect thereon, but-as soon as the chain becomes somewhat tightened, one of the links of the chain will come into abutting relation with the abutment 27, causing the segmental member to move with the chain, and this movement may continue until just before the segmental member reach-es the dotted line position in Figure 3; upon reaching this position, the sheave 33 will have assumed such position that the chain will have left engagement with the abutment 27, and assumed such position as to bear solely upon the sheave 33. The sheave being free to rotate, as much additional chain may be taken up as desired. -When the brake is released,

the segmental member will move with the chain until it reaches its depending position, and the chain becoming loosened will .move relatively to said member until the brake is entirely released.

It is particularly pointed out that unlimited take-up of the chain lnay be effected, the device 4permitting relative movement of the chain with respect thereto during the initial take-up, and also permitting such movement during the final take-up, all to the end that difficulties resulting from variations in the vertical and horizontal portions of the brake chain, due Vto wearing of the parts, will be obviated, and the construction afford great flexibility and efficiency.

While I have herein shown and described what I now consider the preferred manner of carrying out my invention, the same is merely illustrative and I contemplate all changes and modifications that come within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I'clalm:

1. In a brake mechanism of the character and a swingable device adapted to cooperate with said flexible means adjacent the transsition ofthe 'angular portions one into the other, said device having elements automatically engageable and disengageable with reference to said flexible means depending upon the tension therein.

2. Ina hand brake of the character described, the combination with a winding mechanism and a brake chain having portions adapted to extend at angles to each other; a swingable device adapted to cooperate with said chain adjacent the transition of the angular portions one into the other, said device having means for effecting `movement of the same in unison with said chain during one phasel of operation, and permittin relative movement of saidv chain with re erence to said device during another phase of operation.

" 3. In a hand brake for a railway car, the combination with winding means; of a iexible element cooperating with said winding means and having an angular portion extending beneath the car; and a device movably connected with said car and engaging said flexible element, said device having means for automatically adjusting its position with reference to said flexible element, to compensate for variations in the length thereof.

4. In a hand brake ofthe' character described, the combination with a railway car having an end wall; of a winding device mounted upon said end wall; a iexible element/extending fromsaid winding device to a point beneath the car; and a segmental mem to the under-surface of said car adjacent the end wall, said member being' provided with' means engageable and detachable with reference 'to said flexible element, depending upon the movement of the latter.

5. In a hand brake of the. character described, thecombination with a. railway car havin a winding device secured thereto and a flexlble element having portions adapted to extend at an angle to each other; a swingence to said member.

6. In a hand brake of the' .character described,l the combination with al winding mechanism and a brake chain havin portionsv adapted to extend at anglesto each other; a member movable about a fixed p'vot and providedv with a guide for said c ain and an abutment, said chain being engageer having its apex pivotally connected l.

able with said abutment upon increase in tension therein and being detachable with respect to said abutment when saidtenson is decreased.

7 In a hand brake of the character described, the .combination with a winding mechanism and a brake chain having portions adapted to extend at an les to each other; and a member movabley a out a fixed 10 pivot and provided with a 'guide for said chain and an abutment, said chain being engageable with said abutment upon increase in tension therein and being detachable with respect to said abutment when said tension is decreased; and a sheave rotatably carried byysaid member and adapted to-egage said chain when the latter is -ree of said abutment.

.8. In a hand brake of the character 'described, the combination with a railway car having an end wall; of a Windin mechanism mounted on said end wall; a c ain extending from said Winding element to a point beneath said car; a segmentall member having its apex pivotally connected to the undersurface of the car adjacent said end vwall, said member comprising spaced Walls between which is rotatably mounted a sheave, said membe'i` also being provided 'with an abutment, adjacent said sheave,v the extremities of said Walls being provided with webs cooperating with said sheave and abutment to loosely embrace said chain, said -abutment and said sheave being arranged ,to successively engage said chain to initially cause `movement of said chain and member` in unison and subsequently permit movement of said chain with reference to said member. I

.40 In Witness that I claim vthe foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 10th @day of June, 1929.

v ARTHUR OCONNOR. 

